Voice of America, 98-10-26

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO PULLBACK (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PODUJEVO, KOSOVO)

[02] NATO / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[03] U-S/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[04] U-S/KOSOVO O'NITER (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[05] EDITORIAL: TURKEY-SYRIA AGREEMENT

[06] UN/ BOSNIA (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

[07] YUGO MEDIA (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

[08] E-U / RUSSIA (L OVERNIGHTER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (VIENNA)

[09] EURO COUNTERFEITS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[10] GERMANY PARLIAMENT (L ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (BONN)

[11] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[12] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] KOSOVO PULLBACK (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PODUJEVO, KOSOVO)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV TROOPS AND THEIR ARTILLERY AND TANKS ARE MOVING BACK TO BASES ACROSS KOSOVO IN A RACE TO MEET A NATO DRAWBACK DEADLINE. PHILIP SMUCKER IN PODUJEVO, KOSOVO REPORTS THAT IN SOME CASES, WESTERN DIPLOMATS ARE HELPING TO FACILITATE THE SERB PULLBACKS BY BROKERING CEASEFIRES BETWEEN ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS AND THE SERB SECURITY FORCES.

TEXT: IN A DISPLAY OF COMPLIANCE WITH WESTERN DEMANDS FOR A DRAWBACK, YUGOSLAV TANKS AND HEAVY ARTILLERY ARE ON THE MOVE IN KOSOVO. THE RE-DEPLOYMENT OF SOLDIERS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT IS TIMED TO MEET A NATO DEADLINE FOR A DRAWBACK IN FORCES.

HEAVILY ARMED SERBIAN POLICE UNITS HAVE PULLED OUT OF THE MALISEVO AREA, BURNING BUNKERS IN THEIR WAKE. BULLDOZERS ARE KNOCKING DOWN SERB CHECKPOINTS. AND TANKS ARE RUMBLING BACK TO BASES.

THE MOVEMENT IS BEING WELCOMED BY ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES AND SOME GUERRILLA FIGHTERS IN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- THE K-L-A.

REFUGEES LIVING IN THE WOODS LOOKED DOWN FROM HILLTOPS MONDAY IN EXPECTATION OF A POSSIBLE RETURN HOME.

A U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION REQUIRES THAT THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES REMOVE FORCES FROM KOSOVO WHICH HAVE, IN ITS WORDS, ENGAGED IN REPRESSION AGAINST THE CIVILIAN POPULATION. NATO HAS SAID IT IS READY TO BACK THE U-N RESOLUTION WITH AIR STRIKES IF YUGOSLAVIA FAILS TO COMPLY.

SOME WESTERN DIPLOMATS IN KOSOVO REMAIN SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE TROOP MOVEMENTS. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE SERBIAN UNITS MIGHT SOON BE RE-DEPLOYED AFTER A NATO DEADLINE FOR COMPLIANCE EXPIRES LATE TUESDAY. MEANWHILE, AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS ARE HELPING TO BROKER LOCAL CEASEFIRES ACROSS KOSOVO. THOSE AGREEMENTS ARE SEEN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING FIGHTING DURING THE HARSH BALKAN WINTER.

THE LOCAL ACCORDS CALL FOR SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES TO STAY OUT OF K-L-A STRONGHOLDS AND FOR THE GUERRILLAS TO STOP PUTTING UP ROADBLOCKS. WESTERN DIPLOMATS CONFIRMED THAT SOME OF THE DEALS, INCLUDING ONE IN THE PODUJEVO REGION OF KOSOVO, ARE BEING FORMALIZED ON PAPER.

ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS IN VILLAGES AROUND PODUJEVO SAID THAT THE SERB FORCES HAD AGREED TO STAY OUT OF THEIR VILLAGES. THEY SAID THAT SERBIAN POLICE UNITS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO VISIT THEIR STATIONS IN THE VALLEYS IF THEY HONOR THE AGREEMENT.

FOR THEIR PART, SERB POLICE OFFICIALS SAID THEY WOULD NOT ENTER ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES EXCEPT IN THE CASE THAT THEIR PRESENCE WAS REQUESTED. (SIGNED)
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26-Oct-98 1:20 PM EST (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] NATO / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO SAYS YUGOSLAVIA STILL HAS NOT MET INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS FOR A TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS NATO AMBASSADORS HEARD THAT REPORT FROM THE ALLIANCE'S TWO TOP MILITARY COMMANDERS WHO HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM A WEEKEND MISSION TO BELGRADE.

TEXT: A SENIOR NATO OFFICIAL SAID THE ALLIANCE'S TWO TOP GENERALS -- WESLEY CLARK AND KLAUS NAUMANN -- TOLD NATO AMBASSADORS THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS AGREED TO MEET THE INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS -- BY THE DEADLINE, TUESDAY EVENING. HOWEVER, THE OFFICIAL SAID YUGOSLAVIA IS NOT YET IN COMPLIANCE. AND HE SAID NATO WILL JUDGE THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT BY HIS ACTIONS NOT BY HIS WORDS.

NATO OFFICIALS SAID MAJOR FIGHTING HAS STOPPED IN KOSOVO, AND MANY REFUGEES HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR VILLAGES. THEY ALSO SAID THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE AND ARMY UNITS HAS BEGUN, AND THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THE SERBS ARE PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT TO THE DISPUTE IN KOSOVO.

BUT NATO SAYS IT REMAINS READY TO USE FORCE IF THE INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS ARE NOT MET BY TUESDAY EVENING.

A FORMIDABLE ARRAY OF PLANES AND WARSHIPS ARE WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF YUGOSLAVIA AND ARE ALREADY UNDER NATO COMMAND. AIR STRIKES COULD BE ORDERED WITHIN HOURS OF A MEETING OF NATO AMBASSADORS ON TUESDAY.

A NATO OFFICIAL STRESSED THE ALLIANCE HAS NOT BACKED DOWN, AND HE SAID IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN COSMETIC GESTURES BY THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT TO AVERT THE THREATENED AIR STRIKES.

IN PARTICULAR, THE OFFICIAL SAID, AN ASSESSMENT IS BEING MADE OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF SPECIAL POLICE UNITS, BECAUSE FAR TOO LITTLE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN DONE IN THIS AREA. MEANWHILE, FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS DISCUSSED THE KOSOVO SITUATION AT THEIR MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG. THE E-U MINISTERS HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THEIR SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH/KL
26-Oct-98 9:19 AM EST (1419 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-S/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: HERE IN WASHINGTON, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS CONSIDERABLE MOVEMENT BY YUGOSLAV FORCES. BUT THEY INSIST IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY IF THE WITHDRAWALS WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO AVERT A MILITARY SHOWDOWN WITH NATO. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE SAY YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAD BEEN STALLING ON THE TROOP WITHDRAWALS FROM KOSOVO THEY COMMITTED TO MAKE UNDER THE OCTOBER 12TH ACCORD MEDIATED BY THE UNITED STATES. BUT WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS THINGS BEGAN TO CHANGE AFTER THE WEEKEND VISIT TO BELGRADE BY NATO SUPREME COMMANDER WESLEY CLARK, WHO MADE CLEAR TO PRESIDENT SLOBOBAN MILOSEVIC WHAT HE HAD TO DO TO AVERT THE USE OF FORCE BY NATO:

IT APPEARS THAT GENERAL CLARK'S MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY HAVE HAD SOME IMPACT BECAUSE WE DO SEE A LOT OF MOVEMENT. BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MOVEMENT IS REAL AND IT'S REAL WITHDRAWAL AND NOT RECONFIGURATION. AND THE "NAC" WILL BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A FINAL ASSESSMENT TOMORROW WHEN THEY MEET.

MR. LOCKHART WAS REFERRING TO NATO'S NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL, WHICH WILL CONVENE TUESDAY TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE YUGOSLAV PULLBACK. OFFICIALS HERE SAY THE ALLIES WILL BE INTERESTED NOT ONLY IN WITHDRAWALS OF THE REGULAR YUGOSLAV ARMED FORCES, BUT ALSO SPECIAL POLICE UNITS MOVED INTO KOSOVO WHEN THE YUGOSLAV CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS BEGAN IN FEBRUARY.

THEY SAY THE INTIMIDATING PRESENCE OF THE SPECIAL POLICE HAS BEEN KEEPING THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM COMING DOWN OUT OF THE HILLS AND GETTING HELP FROM INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN ALLOWED INTO THE PROVINCE SINCE THE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED.

THE YUGOSLAV WITHDRAWAL IS BEING MONITORED BY NATO OVERFLIGHTS AND THE VANGUARD OF WHAT WILL BE A TWO-THOUSAND MEMBER O-S-C-E VERIFICATION FORCE. THE OBSERVERS ARE ALREADY COMING UNDER CRITICISM FROM KOSOVAR ALBANIANS FOR NOT INTERVENING TO STOP HARASSMENT BY SERB SECURITY FORCES, INCLUDING GUNFIRE DIRECTED SUNDAY AT THE FUNERAL OF AN ALBANIAN BOY BELIEVED KILLED BY SERBS. BUT SPOKESMAN LOCKHART SAYS THE MONITORS ARE JUST THAT:

THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE ARMED. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE SENT IN AS VERIFIERS. AND AS HORRIFIC, AND AS HEINOUS AS THIS ACT WAS, IT DOES MARK THE NEED FOR BOTH DEALING WITH THE SHORT-TERM CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AND MOVING THE TROOPS OUT, BUT ALSO LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AND CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE WITHOUT REPRESSION AND WITHOUT FEAR, AND CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE ISSUE OF SELF-RULE AND OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE CAN BE OPENLY DISCUSSED.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT THE NATO COUNCIL TO WAIT UNTIL JUST BEFORE TUESDAY'S (1900 G-M-T) DEADLINE BEFORE ANNOUNCING WHETHER THE ALLIED THREAT TO USE AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAV FORCES WOULD BE LIFTED. THE DEADLINE HAS ALREADY BEEN EXTENDED ONCE TO FACILITATE THE WITHDRAWALS. (SIGNED)
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26-Oct-98 3:54 PM EST (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S/KOSOVO O'NITER (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: NATO'S NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL CONVENES TODAY (TUESDAY) IN BRUSSELS TO DETERMINE IF YUGOSLAV TROOP WITHDRAWALS IN KOSOVO ARE SUFFICIENT TO HEAD OFF A MILITARY FACE-OFF WITH THE ALLIES. PRESIDENT CLINTON IS FOLLOWING THE SITUATION CLOSELY. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON HAD TWO BRIEFINGS ON KOSOVO FROM NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISERS MONDAY AND WAS GETTING REPORTS EVERY FEW HOURS ON WHAT U-S OFFICIALS SAID WERE EXTENSIVE MOVEMENTS BY YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO. BUT WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAID IT WAS NOT YET CLEAR IF BELGRADE WAS MEETING TERMS OF THE U-S/MEDIATED OCTOBER 12TH KOSOVO ACCORD:

WE DO SEE A LOT OF MOVEMENT. BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MOVEMENT IS REAL AND IT'S REAL WITHDRAWAL AND NOT RECONFIGURATION.

U-S ATTENTION IS FOCUSED NOT ONLY ON THE YUGOSLAV ARMY BUT SPECIAL POLICE UNITS SENT INTO KOSOVO IN THE CRACKDOWN AGAINST ETHNIC-ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS THAT BEGAN LAST FEBRUARY. OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY EXPECT THE NATO COUNCIL TO WAIT UNTIL UNTIL JUST BEFORE TUESDAY'S 19 HOURS UNIVERSAL TIME DEADLINE BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO LIFT ITS THREAT TO LAUNCH AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAV MILITARY TARGETS. (SIGNED)
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26-Oct-98 5:18 PM EST (2218 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EDITORIAL: TURKEY-SYRIA AGREEMENT

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

TURKEY AND SYRIA HAVE SIGNED A SECURITY AGREEMENT. UNDER THE ACCORD, SYRIA AGREED TO BAN "ALL ACTIVITIES OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, AND ALL ITS AFFILIATED INSTITUTIONS, ALONG WITH OTHER TERRORIST GROUPS." THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT AND WELCOME STEP.

FOR YEARS, SYRIA HAS GRANTED A WIDE VARIETY OF TERRORIST GROUPS BASING PRIVILEGES OR REFUGE IN AREAS OF LEBANON'S BEKAA VALLEY UNDER SYRIAN CONTROL. THE P-K-K HAS TRAINED THERE. IN ADDITION, THE LEADER OF THE P-K-K, ABDULLAH OCALAN ['AHB-DOOL-AH 'URJ-AH-LAHN], HAS RESIDED AT LEAST PART-TIME IN DAMASCUS, THE CAPITAL OF SYRIA. IN RECENT WEEKS, TURKISH OFFICIALS SPOKE OUT STRONGLY AGAINST SYRIA'S HARBORING OF P-K-K TERRORISTS. TENSIONS BETWEEN THE TWO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES WERE HIGH.

THE P-K-K WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE MID-1970S AS A MARXIST-LENINIST INSURGENT GROUP. IT SEEKS TO SET UP AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE. OVER THE PAST DECADE AND A HALF, NEARLY FORTY-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE P-K-K AND TURKISH FORCES. IN RECENT YEARS, THE P-K-K MOVED BEYOND RURAL-BASED INSURGENT ACTIVITIES TO URBAN TERRORISM. IT HAS CARRIED OUT TERRORIST ATTACKS IN TURKEY AND THROUGHOUT WESTERN EUROPE. THE P-K-K HAS RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM IRAQ AND IRAN, AS WELL AS SYRIA. ALL THREE OF THESE COUNTRIES ARE ON THE UNITED STATES LIST OF STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM AND ARE SUBJECT TO U.S. SANCTIONS.

THE U.S. WELCOMES THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA. THE U.S. COMMENDS THE ROLE PLAYED BY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, PARTICULARLY EGYPT, IN HELPING TO REDUCE TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE AGREEMENT NOW BE IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER TO REDUCE TENSIONS FURTHER.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
26-Oct-98 2:49 PM EST (1949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] UN/ BOSNIA (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REPRESENTATIVE FOR BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA, CARLOS WESTENDORP, TOLD THE SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (MONDAY) HE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE PACE OF REFUGEE RETURN IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. WESTENDORP UPDATED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE STATUS OF THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA, INCLUDING THE ELECTION OF NEW LEADERS IN SEPTEMBER.

MR. WESTENDORP SAYS THE ELECTION RESULTS ARE EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS TOWARD A MORE MODERATE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA. BUT HE SAYS THE SLOW PACE OF REFUGEE RETURN IS A SIGN OF PROBLEMS WITH THE POLICE AND THE JUDICIARY. SO FAR, ABOUT 15 THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE RETURNED, FAR LESS THAN THE GOAL OF 50 THOUSAND.

AMBASSADOR WESTENDORP SAYS THE RIGHT OF DISPLACED PERSONS, PARTICULARY MINORITIES, TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT, WHICH HIS STAFF WILL TREAT AS A PRIORITY IN THE YEAR AHEAD.

YOU KNOW WHY REFUGEE RETURN IS NOT HAPPENING IS THAT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL SAFE IF THEY RETURN TO AREAS WHICH ARE DOMINATED BY A DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUP BECAUSE THE POLICE ARE NOT DEMOCRATIC AND ARE NOT MULTI-ETHNIC. AND THE JUDGES ARE NOT TRUSTED BY THE MINORITIES. SO THIS IS WHY THESE TWO ELEMETNS ARE CRUCIAL FOR THE COMING PERIOD.

AMBASSADOR WESTENDORP SAYS HE HAS ASKED FOR REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE UNITED NATIONS' INTERNATIONAL POLICE IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/BJS/LSF/GE
26-Oct-98 5:27 PM EST (2227 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] YUGO MEDIA (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (BELGRADE)

INTRO: IN THE LATEST CRACKDOWN ON YUGOSLAVIA'S INDEPENDENT MEDIA, SERB POLICE HAVE CONFISCATED EQUIPMENT AT BELGRADE'S "DAILY TELEGRAPH" AND TRIED TO DO THE SAME AT THE APARTMENT OF THE OWNER. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM BELGRADE.

TEXT: THE DAILY TELEGRAPH'S OWNER, SLAVKO CURUVIJA (CHUR OO VEE YA), SAYS HE EXPECTED THE GOVERNMENT ACTION AFTER HE AND HIS CHIEF COLUMNIST PUBLISHED A SHARPLY CRITICAL OPEN LETTER TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN HIS WEEKLY MAGAZINE

IN THAT EUROPEAN, THE REASON FOR ALL THIS PUNISHMENT, MY FRIEND ALEXANDER TIANIC AND I HAD A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT THAT WE VERY ROUGHLY CRITICIZED MR. MILOSEVIC FOR EVERYTHING HE'D DONE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.

WITHIN DAYS OF THE PUBLICATION OF THAT ARTICLE, MR. CURUVIJA WAS SUED UNDER THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS LAW THAT CRACKS DOWN ON PUBLICATIONS DEEMED TO UNDERMINE THE NATIONAL INTERESTS. HE SAYS HIS PUBLICATIONS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND HIS EQUIPMENT CONFISCATED TO HELP COVER THE COST OF MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FINES.

THEY THINK WE ARE THEIR ENEMIES. WE ARE NOT THEIR ENEMIES. BUT WE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING AND WRITING AND WE ARE THEIR POLITICAL OPPONENTS.

MR. CURUVIJA WAS NOT ALONE IN HIS APARTMENT SUNDAY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT WHEN POLICE CAME TO CONFISCATE HIS PROPERTY. THERE WERE MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF AND THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, JIRJI DIENSTBIER, WHO WAS ON A FACT-FINDING MISSION TO YUGOSLAVIA.

MR. DIENSTBIER SAYS HE HAS TAKEN UP THE MATTER WITH YUGOSLAVIA'S INFORMATION MINISTER AND WILL PROBABLY INCLUDE THE INCIDENT IN A REPORT HE WILL PRESENT TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL EARLY NEXT MONTH.

CLOSING THE NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO STATIONS IS NOT ONLY A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, IT JUST DAMAGES THE IMAGE OF THE COUNTRY. THAT IT IS NOT GOOD THAT UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE HOLBROOKE--MILOSEVIC AGREEMENT, THAT ATTENTION OF EVERYBODY IS ON KOSOVO, THEY JUST USE THE SITUATION FOR CLOSING NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO STATIONS.

THE GOVERNMENT JUSTIFIES THE NEW RESTRICTIONS AS PART OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY BROUGHT ON BY NATO'S THREAT OF MILITARY ACTION OVER THE KOSOVAR CRISIS.

STEPHEN NIKSIC IS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF YUGOSLAVIA'S OLDEST INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER, "NIN." HE CONSIDERS THE CRACKDOWN ON THE MEDIA AS AN ATTACK ON HIS CIVIL RIGHTS.

THERE WILL BE NO FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY UNLESS WE HAVE THESE ESSENTIAL FREEDOMS. WITHOUT THAT EVERYTHING IS USELESS.

SO FAR ONLY THE OWNER OF THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AND EUROPEAN MAGAZINE HAS BEEN SUED UNDER THE NEW LAW, AND HIS BUSINESS PROPERTIES CONFISCATED. TWO OTHER DAILIES, WHICH WERE TEMPORARILY CLOSED DOWN TWO WEEKS AGO, HAVE NOT PUBLISHED AGAIN UNDER THE NEW RESTRICTIONS. OTHER INDEPENDENT MEDIA OWNERS WHO ARE CONTINUING TO WORK SAY THEY EXPECT TO BE THE NEXT TARGETS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/GE
26-Oct-98 2:54 PM EST (1954 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] E-U / RUSSIA (L OVERNIGHTER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (VIENNA)

INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS CANCELED HIS ALREADY SHORTENED VISIT TO VIENNA BECAUSE HIS DOCTORS SAY HE IS NOT FIT TO TRAVEL. BUT, AS V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM VIENNA, RUSSIAN OFFICIALS STILL ARE PLANNING TALKS TUESDAY IN THE AUSTRIAN CAPITAL WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION.

TEXT: THIS WAS INTENDED TO BE A TWO-DAY VISIT, SPLIT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND A STATE VISIT TO AUSTRIA. PRESIDENT YELTSIN FIRST SHORTENED THE TRIP TO SEVEN HOURS AND AT THE LAST MINUTE HIS DOCTORS ORDERED HIM TO STAY HOME.

PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S PLACE AT TALKS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION HERE WILL BE TAKEN BY PRIME MINISTER EVGENY PRIMAKOV . HE WILL MEET WITH AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR VIKTOR KLIMA WHO IS PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR SIX MONTHS AND EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER.

WHEN MR. SANTER WAS IN MOSCOW A FEW WEEKS AGO HE MET WITH PRIME MINISTER PRIMAKOV. AT THAT TIME, THE RUSSIANS BROACHED THE ISSUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PROVIDING FOOD AID TO HELP RUSSIA RECOVER FROM A DISASTROUS HARVEST.

THE EUROPEAN UNION IS CONSIDERING FUNDING MORE THAN ONE-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF FOOD AID TO RUSSIA BUT WANTS A MORE AUTHORITATIVE REQUEST.

MR. SANTER, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER LAST WEEK, SAYS HE HAS OTHER QUESTIONS TO RUSSIA ABOUT ECONOMIC POLICY.

THE PRESENT SITUATION IN RUSSIA, PARTICULARLY THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, A FOLLOW UP TO THE EARLIER DISCUSSIONS WITH MR. PRIMAKOV AND WE'RE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME ANSWERS FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF TWO WEEKS AGO, CONCERNING IN PARTICULAR THE BANKING SECTOR, WHAT THE RUSSIANS INTEND TO DO, THE STABILIZATION OF THE RUBLE, AND TRADE IN GENERAL.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS RULED OUT ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR RUSSIA UNTIL PRIME MINISTER PRIMAKOV PRESENTS HIS PROGRAM. EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS JUST FINISHED A MEETING IN SOUTHERN AUSTRIA WHERE THEY DISCUSSED MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS, INCLUDING URGING THEIR CENTRAL BANKS TO LOWER INTEREST RATES.

THE AUSTRIANS HAD BEEN EAGER FOR THE VISIT BY PRESIDENT YELTSIN INSISTING IT WOULD STILL GO AHEAD WHEN THE TRIP WAS SHORTENED TO SEVEN HOURS. PRESIDENT YELTSIN HAD GIVEN AN INTERVIEW WITH A VIENNA NEWSPAPER LAST WEEK IN WHICH HE SAYS THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NEUTRAL AUSTRIA. (SIGNED)
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26-Oct-98 2:17 PM EST (1917 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] EURO COUNTERFEITS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: REPRESENTATIVES FROM BUSINESSES AND INTERNATIONAL GROUPS HAVE APPROVED STEPS THEY HOPE WILL HELP BLOCK THE PRODUCTION AND SALE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS IN THE FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS COMPANIES SAY THEY ARE LOSING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOST SALES EVERY YEAR AND ARE CALLING FOR TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AGAINST PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE ILLEGAL TRADE.

TEXT: OFFICIALS ATTENDING A U-N MEETING SAY THE COUNTERFEITING OF GOODS IS PARTICULARLY WIDESPREAD IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. THEY SAY THERE IS A GREAT DEMAND FOR LUXURY GOODS WHICH ARE NOT PRODUCED IN THE REGION. AND THEY SAY LAWS AGAINST THE PRACTICE ARE NOT VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED.

COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES SAY PIRATED GOODS COST THEM A LOT OF MONEY. FOR EXAMPLE, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FORD AUTO COMPANY, KEVIN ENGLAND, SAYS HIS COMPANY LOSES TWO TO THREE-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR GLOBALLY FROM COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS. HE SAYS THIS INCLUDES 100-MILLION DOLLARS IN EASTERN EUROPE ALONE.

MR. ENGLAND ALSO SAYS THE MANUFACTURE OF INFERIOR ILLEGAL AUTO PARTS, SUCH AS AN ALLOY WHEEL PRODUCED IN POLAND, CAN THREATEN LIVES.

THE PART WAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DANGEROUS. THE SORT OF THING THAT CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL TO WEAKEN AND BREAK WOULD BE SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE LIKE DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE OR A MANHOLE COVER IN A ROAD. THAT IN ITSELF WOULD EXERT ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THAT ALLOY WHEEL TO WEAKEN IT AND EVENTUALLY IT WOULD CRACK.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING, DAVID WINTER, SAYS COUNTRIES IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE ARE LOSING OUT ON SIGNIFICANT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUING BREACH OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

MR. WINTER ALSO SAYS PARTICIPANTS AT THE MEETING ARE CONSIDERING SEVERAL MEASURES, INCLUDING A PLAN TO SET UP A GROUP TO WORK WITH GOVERNMENTS IN EASTERN EUROPE TO END THE SALE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEMS FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF AWARDS AGAINST BREACHES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS TO WORK WITH CUSTOMS, WITH POLICE OFFICIALS, MINISTRIES OF JUSTICE. THIS KIND OF THING.

OFFICIALS SAY THAT IN SOME COUNTRIES, BUSINESSES ARE RELUCTANT TO TAKE A CASE TO COURT. THEY SAY THE BUSINESSES BELIEVE LARGE-SCALE COUNTERFEITERS ARE CONTROLLED BY ORGANIZED CRIME, AND ACTING AGAINST THEM COULD BE DANGEROUS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
26-Oct-98 11:31 AM EST (1631 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] GERMANY PARLIAMENT (L ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY'S NEWLY-ELECTED PARLIAMENT -- THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY, OR BUNDESTAG -- HELD ITS OPENING MEETING IN BONN MONDAY. THE COUNTRY IS PREPARING FOR THE SWEARING IN OF IT'S NEW CHANCELLOR, GERHARD SCHROEDER, ON TUESDAY. SUZANNE KELLY REPORTS FROM BONN ON THE TRANSITION FROM 16 YEARS OF A CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT TO THE NEW, LEFT-OF-CENTER COALITION RULE.

TEXT: MONDAY WAS HELMUT KOHL'S LAST DAY OF WORK AS GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR. IN CEREMONIES TO MARK HIS DEPARTURE, THE 68-YEAR-OLD LEADER WAS PRESENTED WITH A CUSTOMARY LETTER OF DISCHARGE BY GERMAN PRESIDENT ROMAN HERZOG, BUT WAS ALSO HONORED WITH THE GRAND CROSS, ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARDS.

HELMUT KOHL IS NOT LEAVING POLITICS FOR GOOD. HE REMAINS A DEPUTY FOR HIS CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, HE KEEPS A SEAT IN PARLIAMENT, AND WILL EVEN REMAIN LIVING IN THE GERMAN CHANCELLORY FOR A WHILE, EVEN AFTER HIS SUCCESSOR, GERHARD SCHROEDER SETTLES IN. IT IS SOMETHING HE IS PERMITTED TO DO UNDER GERMAN LAW.

MR. KOHL'S CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS WERE DEFEATED BY GERMANY'S SOCIAL DEMOCRATS -- THE S-P-D -- IN ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 27TH. AFTER THREE WEEKS OF NEGOTIATIONS, A NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE S-P-D AND GERMANY'S ENVIRONMENTAL "GREENS" PARTY IS READY TO TAKE CONTROL. BOTH PARTIES ENDORSED A COALITION AGREEMENT THIS PAST WEEKEND AND SAY THEY ARE NOW READY TO TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE COUNTRY'S PRESSING BUSINESS.

THE NEW MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT -- CALLED DEPUTIES -- BEGAN THEIR OPENING SESSION ON MONDAY AFTER A CHURCH SERVICE AND MEETINGS WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL PARTIES. DEPUTIES WILL ELECT GERHARD SCHROEDER AS GERMANY'S NEW CHANCELLOR ON TUESDAY, MAKING HIM GERMANY'S SEVENTH POST-WAR CHANCELLOR. MR. SCHROEDER NEEDS 335 VOTES TO BE ELECTED. HIS OWN S-P-D ALONG WITH THE GREENS CONTROL 345 SEATS IN THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

ONCE MR. SCHROEDER IS SWORN IN, PRESIDENT HERZOG WILL SWEAR IN THE NEW MINISTERS, INCLUDING SOME FROM THE GREENS PARTY. THE NEW DISTRIBUTION OF SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENT WILL GIVE MR. SCHROEDER AND HIS COALITION PARTNERS A 21-SEAT MAJORITY IN THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

MR. SCHROEDER'S FIRST CABINET MEETING WILL COME ON TUESDAY EVENING. HE HAS PROMISED THAT AMONG HIS FIRST ORDERS OF BUSINESS WILL BE FINDING WAYS TO LOWER GERMANY'S MORE THAN 10 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. A TAX REFORM PLAN HAS ALREADY BEEN PRESENTED, BUT MANY GERMAN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS AND TAX PAYER GROUPS SAY THAT IT IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO STIMULATE EMPLOYMENT.

THE INCOMING GERMAN CHANCELLOR BEGINS OFFICE WITH GERMAN MEDIA REPORTS OF A POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN HIM AND HIS SOON-TO-BE FINANCE MINISTER, OSKAR LAFONTAINE -- THE MAN WHO HEADS THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY. BOTH MEN DENY THE REPORTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SK/PCF/GE
26-Oct-98 12:50 PM EST (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (MONDAY) IN A SESSION THAT INCLUDED AN UNSCHEDULED TRADING HALT ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 84-HUNDRED-32, DOWN 20 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE-THOUSAND-72, UP ONE-AND-ONE-HALF POINTS.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST THREE YEARS, THERE WAS AN UNSCHEDULED TRADING HALT ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. A COMPUTER FAILURE SHUT DOWN TRADING FOR ALMOST ONE HOUR. A SIMILAR PROBLEM OCCURRED IN DECEMBER OF 1995.

IN GENERAL, CORPORATE PROFITS IN THE LATEST QUARTER HAVE BEEN AS EXPECTED, OR SOMEWHAT BETTER THAN EXPECTED. BUT MANY ON WALL STREET WONDER WHETHER PROFITS CAN BE SUSTAINED THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. CONSUMER SPENDING, WHICH REPRESENTS TWO-THIRDS OF THE U-S ECONOMY, WILL BE A KEY FACTOR.

WE WILL BE EYING (LOOKING AT) THE OCTOBER NUMBER ON CONSUMER CONFIDENCE VERY CLOSELY, TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT WE OBSERVE A DETERIORATION AS TO HOW CONSUMERS ASSESS CURRENT CONDITIONS.

SALES OF EXISTING HOMES IN THE UNITED STATES FELL IN SEPTEMBER, FOR THE SECOND MONTH IN A ROW. DESPITE THAT, ANALYSTS STILL EXPECT EXISTING HOME SALES WILL SET A RECORD FOR THE YEAR.

THE A-T-AND-T TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY IS REPORTING A 68-PERCENT QUARTERLY PROFIT INCREASE, BETTER THAN WALL STREET EXPECTED. HOWEVER, SOME ANALYSTS ARE STILL CAUTIOUS, WAITING TO SEE THE RESULT OF A-T-AND-T'S 48-BILLION-DOLLAR ACQUISITION OF CABLE TELEVISION GIANT T-C-I -- A DEAL EXPECTED TO CLOSE EARLY NEXT YEAR.

UNION CARBIDE, ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHEMICAL COMPANIES, SAYS ITS PROFITS FELL ALMOST 60-PERCENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER, LARGELY BECAUSE OF WEAKNESS IN ASIA. M-G-M, THE MOVIE PRODUCTION COMPANY, SAYS DESPITE A SHARP RISE IN REVENUES, IT LOST 40-MILLION DOLLARS IN THE LATEST QUARTER, DUE TO WRITE-OFFS ON FILMS AND EXPENSES RELATED TO JOB CUTS.

IN OTHER U-S BUSINESS NEWS, OXFORD, THE FINANCIALLY-TROUBLED HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION, IS BEING SUED FOR MORE THAN ONE-BILLION DOLLARS BY THREE MEDICAL-PROVIDER FIRMS IN NEW YORK WHO SAY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PAID.

A FOUR-DAY STRIKE AT THE LARGEST BREWING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES IS OVER. THE ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANY REACHED AGREEMENT WITH WORKERS AT ITS MAIN BREWERY IN THE MIDWESTERN CITY OF SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WTW
26-Oct-98 5:28 PM EST (2228 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE MIDEAST PEACE AGREEMENT CONTINUES TO DRAW COMMENT THIS MONDAY AS THE ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN LEADERS BEGIN THE BATTLE TO GAIN SUPPORT FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE ARREST AND LEGAL FUTURE OF CHILE'S EX-DICTATOR GENERAL PINOCHET; VIOLENCE AGAINST ABORTION DOCTORS; CHANGES IN GERMANY'S CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT; AND JOHN GLENN'S RETURN TO SPACE. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: FOR NEWSPAPERS THAT DO NOT PUBLISH OVER THE WEEKEND, THIS IS THE FIRST CHANCE TO COMMENT ON THE MID EAST AGREEMENT. THE "USA TODAY" SAYS:

VOICE: TO THE CASUAL OBSERVER, THE PEACE ACCORD ... SEEMS HUMBLE IN ACCOMPLISHMENT. AFTER ALL, IT TOOK NINE DAYS AND EIGHT NIGHTS OF COMBATIVE HAGGLING FOR A U-S PRESIDENT, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER AND PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT TO CLOSE A DEAL THAT HAD BEEN COOKING FOR 19 MONTHS. BUT THIS CONTROVERSIAL LAND-FOR-SECURITY SWAP, ENGINEERED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON, ENDED A STALEMATE THAT HAD THWARTED ADVANCEMENT OF ARAB-ISRAELI PEACE. AND BY DECIDING HOW MUCH WEST BANK LAND ISRAELIS WOULD RELINQUISH AND HOW PALESTINIANS WOULD CRACK DOWN ON TERRORISTS, THE TRULY TOUGH ISSUES OF REFUGEES, WATER, JERUSALEM AND PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD CAN BE NEGOTIATED.

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS PLEASED THE MIDEAST LEADERS BROKE A LOGJAM LAST WEEK IN THE PEACE PROCESS. BUT AFTER NOTING THEIR WORK HAS ONLY BEGUN, THE PAPER ASKS:

VOICE: HAS THE AGREEMENT FORGED AT THE WYE PLANTATION ... RESTORED ENOUGH TRUST TO NEUTRALIZE THE EXTREMISTS' VETO? [AND] WILL THE MOMENTUM PROVIDED BY THIS LONG-DELAYED INTERIM AGREEMENT TAKE THE PARTIES INTO AND THROUGH EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FINAL-STATUS TALKS ABOUT JERUSALEM, PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD, WATER, AND OTHER ISSUES?

TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" HAS PRAISE FOR ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU WHO, THE PAPER NOTES, "HAS DELIVERED ON VIRTUALLY EVERY PROMISE IN A TIMELY FASHION," BUT SCORN FOR YASSER ARAFAT'S "FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF NEARLY EVERY SPECIFIC COMMITMENT HE HAS MADE." /// OPT /// '"THE JOURNAL" CONCLUDES:

VOICE: THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE LIKELY WILL GO SMOOTHLY. BUT WHEN TALK TURNS TO ISSUES SUCH AS JERUSALEM AND THE RETURN OF PALESTINIAN REFUGEES, THE OUTCOME IS AGAIN LARGELY IN THE HANDS OF MR. ARAFAT.

TEXT: TURNING TO THIS HEMISPHERE, "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND IS PLEADING WITH BRITISH AUTHORITIES N O T TO ALLOW FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET TO GO FREE, AFTER THEY ARRESTED HIM ON ORDERS OF A SPANISH JUDGE. SAYS "NEWSDAY:'

VOICE: **VIVA** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] THAT JUDGE. WHATEVER ULTIMATELY HAPPENS IN THIS HIGHLY POLITICAL CASE, THE HARD-FISTED OLD GENERAL WILL GET BETTER TREATMENT THAN HE DESERVES -- CERTAINLY BETTER THAN THE THREE-THOUSAND PLUS PEOPLE WHO WERE TORTURED, EXECUTED OR DISAPPEARED DURING HIS 17 YEARS IN POWER. /// OPT

TEXT: IN THE UNITED STATES, PAPERS CONTINUE TO REACT TO THE MURDER OF A NEW YORK STATE DOCTOR WHO PERFORMED ABORTIONS BY A SNIPER OVER THE WEEKEND. SAYS "THE NEW YORK TIMES:"

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE MURDER OF DOCTOR BARNETT SLEPIAN IS THE LATEST DEPRAVED ASSAULT ON THE SMALL NUMBER OF COURAGEOUS PHYSICIANS WHO STILL RISK THEIR SAFETY TO PERFORM LEGAL ABORTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY. DR. SLEPIAN WAS ONE OF ONLY THREE DOCTORS WHO PERFORMED ABORTIONS IN THE BUFFALO AREA, AND HARASSMENT AND THREATS AGAINST HIM BY ANTI-ABORTION GROUPS HAD BECOME ROUTINE OVER THE PAST DECADE. HE PERSEVERED THROUGH COURAGE AND A BELIEF IN THE RIGHT OF HIS PATIENTS TO CHOOSE WHETHER TO BEAR A CHILD. /// END OPT /// ..... IF AN ARMED POLICE OFFICER HAS TO BE STATIONED OUTSIDE EVERY ABORTION PROVIDER'S HOME AND OFFICE, 24 HOURS A DAY, LET IT BE DONE. THIS IS AN ASSAULT NOT ONLY ON INDIVIDUAL DOCTORS BUT ON THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES OF ALL AMERICANS.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" TALKS TODAY ABOUT CHANGES PENDING IN GERMANY'S CITIZENSHIP LAW UNDER NEW SOCIAL DEMOCRAT CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER.

VOICE: THE GOVERNING PARTIES AGREED THAT CHILDREN BORN ON GERMAN SOIL TO NON-GERMAN PARENTS AT LEAST ONE OF WHOM HAS LIVED IN GERMANY SINCE AGE 15 WILL BECOME GERMAN CITIZENS. THIS IS A STRIKING DEPARTURE FROM THE CURRENT LAW, WITH ITS HIGH BARRIERS TO CITIZENSHIP FOR ANYONE NOT OF GERMAN ANCESTRY AND FROM CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S LONGTIME INSISTENCE THAT GERMANY WAS 'NOT AN IMMIGRATION COUNTRY.'

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" IS COMMENTING ON A THREE-YEAR SWISS INVESTIGATION THAT HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE BROTHER OF FORMER MEXICAN PRESIDENT CAROLS SALINAS DE GORTARI WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE ORGANIZED DRUG TRADE INTO THE UNITED STATES AND ELSEWHERE. NOTES "THE TIMES:"

VOICE: RAUL SALINAS HAS DENIED ANY INVOLVEMENT WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING. INSTEAD, HE HAS CLAIMED THAT THE FUNDS WERE GIVEN TO HIM BY MEXICAN BUSINESSMEN FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES, THOUGH HIS EXPLANATIONS FOR SHIFTING THE MONEY BY USING FALSE NAMES AND PHONY PASSPORTS STRUCK THE SWISS INVESTIGATORS AS 'THREADBARE' AND 'IMPLAUSIBLE.' ... ALTHOUGH RAUL SALINAS HAS BEEN LINKED TO DRUG CORRUPTION FOR AT LEAST THE PAST THREE YEARS, MEXICAN AUTHORITIES ONLY RECENTLY BEGAN THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION OF ANY ROLE HE PLAYED AS A KINGPIN. WHY THE DELAY? AND WHY HASN'T THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION PUBLICLY PRESSED ITS SUPPOSEDLY COOPERATIVE ALLY IN THE DRUG WAR TO CONDUCT SUCH AN INVESTIGATION?

TEXT: LASTLY, WORDS OF PRAISE FOR OHIO SENATOR -- AND FORMER ASTRONAUT -- JOHN GLENN, WHO, AT 77 IS ONCE AGAIN POISED TO BLAST OFF INTO SPACE WITH A NASA CREW ABOARD THE SPACE SHUTTLE. FROM "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE.

VOICE: ONCE AGAIN, NASA NEEDS TO GENERATE PUBLIC EXCITEMENT. ONCE AGAIN, NASA NEEDS A HERO. ONCE AGAIN, NASA NEEDS JOHN GLENN ... [IT} MUST BE NOTED THAT HIS UPCOMING MISSION THIS WEEK IS DESIGNED TO HELP NASA IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. INDEED, THE PUBLIC RELATIONS ASPECT MAY BE AS IMPORTANT AS THE SCIENCE. ... THE REST OF US, EARTHBOUND, CAN ONLY LOOK HEAVENWARD AND WISH HIM AND THE REST OF THE DISCOVERY CREW GOOD LUCK.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL PAGES.
NEB/ANG/KL
26-Oct-98 11:14 AM EST (1614 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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